Regular Eye Exams are Essential to Living Your Best Life with Diabetes

From luskherald.com

(NAPSI)—Many people don’t know it but diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss. Fortunately, early detection could save your vision. Unfortunately, most people with diabetes do not get a yearly comprehensive eye exam as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

Diabetic eye diseases often have no obvious signs or symptoms. The good news, however, is that an annual routine eye exam can help identify eye disease early so you can take steps to prevent or delay vision loss caused by diabetes. 

“My patients are often surprised by how comfortable these eye exams are,” said Andrew Iwach, MD, an ophthalmologist in San Francisco and a volunteer with EyeCare America, a program offering no-cost eye exams to qualified, underserved Americans. “Taking charge of your diabetes includes taking charge of your eye health. Most people say they rely on their vision more than any other sense, so don’t wait until you notice symptoms. Get your eyes checked every year.” 

How Does Diabetes Affect Eyesight? 

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause damage in many parts of the body, including the blood vessels in the eye. When this happens, the blood vessels can swell or leak, leading to vision loss. This is called diabetic retinopathy. 

People with diabetes are also at higher risk of other eye diseases, including cataracts and glaucoma. 

People with diabetes who don’t have eye disease can also experience a change in their vision. A quick change in blood sugar levels can cause temporary blurry vision. Taking care of your overall health by keeping up with exams, medications, and dietary guidelines as your doctor recommends is key to protecting your good vision. 

A Simple and Painless Way  To Avoid Blindness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that about 90 percent of vision loss from diabetes can be prevented if it is diagnosed early. 

If you have diabetes, it’s wise to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist to make sure they’re not affected by the disease

Routine eye exams can include reading an eye chart, shining a light into your eye to check your pupil, testing your eye movement and side vision, an eye pressure test, looking at your eye through a slit-lamp microscope, and using dilating eye drops to check on the health of your retina, which is the back of your eye. You may experience slight sensitivity to light after dilation, but otherwise, these exams are pain-free. 

Getting a comprehensive eye exam before eye disease develops will not only give you peace of mind, but an ophthalmologist can also help you understand your risk factors and recommend health tips moving forward to help prevent disease. 

Can’t Afford an Eye Exam?  EyeCare America® Can Help

Unfortunately, many of the 37 million people living in the United States with diabetes don’t have the time or the means to get an annual eye exam. 

People of colour are at a greater risk of going blind from diabetes. The number of people with diabetic retinopathy is predicted to increase by 48 percent by 2030.

Individuals who are at high risk for eye disease or are over the age of 65 may be eligible for a no out-of-pocket cost medical eye exam through the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America® program. This public service program matches volunteer ophthalmologists with eligible patients in need of eye care across the United States. To see if you or a loved one qualifies, visit www.aao.org/eyecare-america/patients. 

https://luskherald.com/premium/napsnet/stories/regular-eye-exams-are-essential-to-living-your-best-life-with-diabetes,67760?

Even an occasional 30-minute exercise session reduces type 2 diabetes risk factors, study finds

From medicalxpress.com

Researchers at Centro per le Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Italy, have found that a single 30-minute aerobic exercise session significantly reduced 1-hour post-load plasma glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity in young, healthy adults. Participants showed improvements in glucose metabolism following a single bout of physical activity, indicating potential benefits in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Physical exercise is clinically recognized for improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, critical factors in preventing type 2 diabetes. While the research link is typically focused on the long-term effects of regular physical activity, the current study examined the immediate impact of a single aerobic exercise session on glucose levels.

                                                                                         Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In the study, "A single bout of physical exercise improves 1-hour post-load plasma glucose in healthy young adults," published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, researchers tested the effects of a single 30-minute aerobic exercise session on glucose metabolism in healthy young adults. They used a 1-hour post-load glucose test as prior studies have shown that it is a strong predictor of future diabetes risk.

A total of 32 participants, aged 20 to 35, were recruited for the study. None had a history of diabetes or competitive sports involvement, and none were on medication. All underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline, followed by a light jogging session (60–65% of their VO2max).

A second OGTT was administered 24 hours after the exercise to assess changes in fasting glucose, 1-hour post-load glucose, and insulin levels. Insulin sensitivity was also evaluated using surrogate indices such as the Matsuda and QUICKI indexes.

Fasting glucose levels decreased from 82.8 mg/dL to 78.5 mg/dL, and 1-hour post-load glucose dropped from 122.8 mg/dL to 111.8 mg/dL after exercise. Insulin levels at the 1-hour mark also fell significantly from 57.4 µUI/ml to 43.5 µUI/ml. Insulin sensitivity improved, as indicated by increases in the Matsuda index from 7.79 to 9.02 and the QUICKI index from 0.36 to 0.38. The HOMA-IR index, a measure of insulin resistance, decreased from 1.51 to 1.28.

These positive effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, just 24 hours after a single exercise session, suggest that even occasional physical activity could significantly contribute to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes through immediate improvements in glucose control.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-occasional-minute-session-diabetes-factors.html 

One type of snack has so many vitamins it prevents diabetes, arthritis and heart disease

From msn.com

There are numerous snacks that are rich in vitamins and can aid in the changes you wish to make to your body. However, there's one snack that is particularly beneficial for supporting thyroid function.

Brazil nuts have been ranked 16th on Healthline's list of 50 super healthy foods. The nut is described as: "nutrient-rich and have a smooth, buttery texture. The nutrients they contain support thyroid function, and they are a good source of the mineral selenium. 

Selenium is an essential trace mineral and brazil nuts are actually one of the best natural sources of it. The mineral helps produce thyroid hormones and maintain metabolism. Having just one to two brazil nuts a day can be enough to provide your daily selenium needs. Not only that, Brazil nuts are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which support heart health.

This also reduced inflammation and help combat chronic inflammation linked to diseases like arthritis and diabetes. The benefits don't stop there, they also have omega-3 fatty acids which increases skin elasticity! So eating these nuts can help with aging. Health guru Dr Michael Mosley has revealed nuts are his main snack. When asked by the Sunday Times about the food he eats every day, he said: " Selenium is an essential trace mineral and brazil nuts are actually one of the best natural sources of it.

This mineral aids in the production of thyroid hormones and maintains metabolism. Consuming just one to two brazil nuts a day can meet your daily selenium needs.

Additionally, Brazil nuts are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which promote heart health. They also reduce inflammation and help fight chronic inflammation associated with diseases like arthritis and diabetes.

                                                                                                 © Alamy/PA

The benefits don't end there, they also contain omega-3 fatty acids which increase skin elasticity!, reports Surrey Live.

Eating these nuts can aid in the ageing process, according to health expert Dr Michael Mosley. The Sunday Times asked him about his daily food intake and he revealed: "I make a point of always keeping a variety of nuts and seeds in stock, including almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, chia and sesame seeds. Nuts are rich in fibre to feed your microbiome and are an excellent source of healthy natural fat."

If you're considering adding another nut to your diet, a specialist has recommended one that he consumes almost every day for heart health.

Dr Kevin Rabii, DO, FACC, a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann, told Parade that our dietary choices can influence risk factors for diseases like heart disease. He stated that there's one nut he always has available due to its benefits for heart health.

"I enjoy almonds because they are an easy, healthy and delicious snack," he says. "I try to keep a small container with some almonds in my car or at work for when I am feeling hungry. There is no preparation involved, and it can keep you from choosing unhealthier snacks."

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/one-type-of-snack-has-so-many-vitamins-it-prevents-diabetes-arthritis-and-heart-disease/ar-AA1vqFGT?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 

Type 2 Diabetes – Not Just for Adults: Children’s Hospital of Michigan Shares Risks & Tips Parents Should Know

From littleguidedetroit.com

At LittleGuide Detroit, we want to make life easier for parents – which often times includes sharing cool new destinations, but also information about the best resources for your family as well – including the best paediatric hospital. Children’s Hospital of Michigan is a life-saving resource for families in metro Detroit and whether you need their services now or in the future, you can always find valuable information on their website. Today, they are sharing valuable information with about risks of diabetes in children.

Being overweight is a significant contributor to developing type 2 diabetes. And according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one-third of American youth are overweight. Families can work together to take charge of health and avoid getting type 2 diabetes. When everyone is focused on a healthier lifestyle, it’s easier and creates a new normal.

Insulin Resistance and Children

When an adult or child is overweight from eating too much without a lot of activity, the pancreas has to make more insulin to get cells to use blood sugar for energy. Over time, the pancreas can’t keep up the need for additional insulin and blood sugar levels rise, creating a risk for type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is important because it helps the body better use insulin and reduce the opportunity for insulin resistance.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Children

If your child is at least 10 years old or has started puberty, overweight and has any two of the following risk factors, talk with your doctor about getting a blood sugar test and depending on results, follow your doctor’s recommendations for any follow up tests:

• Family member with type 2 diabetes
• Mother had gestational diabetes while pregnant
• One or more conditions associated with insulin resistance – high blood pressure, high cholesterol or polycystic ovary syndrome
• African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander

Six Ways to Increase Activity

Increasing activity in the day is a change of habit. If your child is used to spending free time as screen time, you may need to help your child discover other activities that he or she will enjoy. Physical fitness isn’t just a short-term exercise, it’s a lifestyle that pays off with better health. Here are six ideas to get started:

1. Start slowly and build up, with a goal of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Exercise doesn’t have to happen all at once; 10-15 minute sessions count.
2. Encourage your child to join a sports team.
3. Take fitness classes together, or create active outings such as bike riding, walking the dog or hiking.
4. Consider taking care of the house as a two-for-one by pitching in for chores. Vacuum, rake leaves, have a weed-pulling contest, sweep the porch or driveway.
5. Give holiday gifts that keep you moving and away from screens – ping pong, jump rope, sidewalk chalk or corn hole can be fun activities.
6. Limit screen time to 2 hours a day.

Ten Healthy Eating Habits

Like exercise, healthy eating habits don’t happen all at once. Give yourself a break and get started in the right direction. Success will encourage more success.

1. Set a good example for them by making healthy choices yourself.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed food and sugar.
3. Drink fewer sodas and sugary drinks and drink more water instead.
4. Plan and/or shop for meal prep together. Teach your kids to understand food labels.
5. Make healthy meals ahead of time and freeze for nights that you know will be time-crunched.
6. Serve smaller portion sizes.
7. Eat dinner together as a family, not in front of the TV or computer.
8. Slow down the pace of eating so that kids have time to feel full (about 20 minutes).
9. Don’t make food a reward. Consider non-food-centred ways to celebrate.
10. Take a class on nutrition or healthy meal planning from a diabetes educator.

https://littleguidedetroit.com/type-2-diabetes-not-just-for-adults-childrens-hospital-of-michigan-shares-risks-tips-parents-should-know/ 

Five surprising things that raise your risk of Type 2 diabetes

From msn.com

We all want to avoid chronic illnesses and, with rates on the rise due to soaring obesity levels, Type 2 diabetes is one that’s at the forefront of many people’s minds. Every week, the condition leads to hundreds of amputations, strokes and heart attacks and thousands of heart failure cases.

However, implementing small, sustainable lifestyle changes can prevent or delay weight gain, says Naveed Sattar, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow. Here are five habits that may be raising your risk – plus Prof Sattar’s tips to undo the damage.

1. You’re eating the wrong thing for breakfast

Eating a sugary breakfast – whether that’s sugary cereal, pastries or snack bars – may be a sign your diet is high in calories and low in fibre, says Prof Sattar.

“People who eat sugary breakfasts are generally eating other dense calories, which leads to weight gain” – the biggest risk factor for Type 2 diabetes – he explains. Additionally, it’s unlikely that they’re eating enough fibre, which is a nutrient that controls appetite, he notes. 

“You get to the point where your weight is so high that you can’t store it as subcutaneous fat (pinchable fat under the skin) so high amounts end up in places where it shouldn’t be, such as the liver,” he says. The liver is responsible for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels but when it becomes clogged up with fat, “it keeps making sugar in excess, which causes Type 2 diabetes”, he explains.

                                                       Breakfasts that are high in sugar, such as pain au raisins, can lead to Type 2 diabetes - Getty

However, some people, such as those who do lots of exercise, may be able to eat a high-sugar breakfast without raising their risk of Type 2 diabetes, as they burn those calories off, he notes. For the vast majority though, it’s worth rethinking how they start the day.

How to combat the risk: Swap to a low-sugar, high-fibre option, such as shredded wheat. “It is more slowly absorbed by the gut and engages appetite signals, to help with eating fewer calories,” Prof Sattar explains.

2. You have wine every night

“There are tons of calories in alcohol,” Prof Sattar notes. A 175ml glass of wine contains 159 calories, meaning one per night adds up to 1,100 calories – nearly as much as two pizzas over the course of the week, which will fuel weight gain. The calorie intake from alcohol is even higher if your tipple of choice is a pint of beer (182) or cider (216).

As well as being calorific itself, alcohol also leads to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, as a result of the liver focusing on breaking down alcohol rather than releasing sugar into the bloodstream, he explains. “That may mean you’ll eat more the next morning,” he says.

Additionally, research suggests giving up alcohol for just one month leads to weight loss and lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. While researchers don’t know how long this effect lasts, they note that it shows the impact of alcohol on Type 2 diabetes risk.

                                                      One glass of wine per night adds up to 1,100 calories each week - Getty

How to combat the risk: Cut back on alcohol and swap to lower calorie options, such as spirits (61 calories) with tonic or soda. “Drinking less may help with your weight as well as reducing the other toxic effects of alcohol on the liver, blood vessels and brain,” Prof Sattar notes.

3. You spend too much time sitting down

“Being sedentary means you’re probably sitting in the house more often, so you’re not burning calories,” Prof Sattar explains. “But secondly, it also provides you with more opportunities to eat, often out of boredom.”

Additionally, researchers, who monitored the blood sugar levels of 37 people over a fortnight, found that those who spent prolonged periods of time sitting at higher levels, while those who broke up sitting more often with standing or walking had lower levels.

“If you’re walking the dog or going out to meet friends, you’re not likely to be eating a packet of crisps while doing that,” Prof Sattar says. “More time at home leads to more eating just because we find eating food so pleasurable.”

How to combat the risk: “One simple tip I give patients is to try and walk an extra five minutes a day, which is equivalent to 500 steps,” he says. To motivate yourself, find a nice walking route, listen to a podcast on your walk or find a friend to join you. “Then, increase your walk to 10 minutes and longer – start low, go slow,” Prof Sattar says. 

4. You’re adding salt at the dinner table

Just like with sugar, people who add salt to their meals are also at risk of eating too much. 

Researchers at Tulane University in the US, who analysed the diet patterns of around 400,000 people in the UK, found that those who reported “always” adding salt to their meals were 39 per cent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared to those who “never” or “rarely” did so. People who “sometimes” added salt to their food faced a 13 per cent higher risk, jumping to 20 per cent for those “usually” added it.

The team suggested that added salt likely causes people to eat bigger portions, leading to weight gain, rather than salt itself causing Type 2 diabetes. 

“It makes food taste nice, encourages overeating, and also leads people to drink more,” Prof Sattar explains. “If that’s a sugary drink, that can further fuel weight gain.”. 

How to combat the risk: Cut back on eating salty food and adding salt at the dinner table, which will also benefit blood pressure – the biggest risk factor for strokes, Prof Sattar suggests. The NHS recommends that adults have no more than 6g of salt per day.

5. Your sleep time changes by more than one hour each night

Previous research has shown that people who have irregular sleep patterns – meaning the time they spend sleeping varies by more than one hour each day – face a third higher risk of developing the condition than those who have more regular sleep.

Adding further weight to the importance of sleep, a study that is set to be presented at a diabetes conference this week, which looked at 5,000 people, found that those who had late bedtimes were around 50 per cent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Prof Sattar says links between sleep and Type 2 diabetes are most likely to do with eating patterns. “Sleep and your appetites are strongly linked,” he explains. “If you have a poor night’s sleep, you generally tend to overeat over the next few days.”

Also, if you don’t get enough sleep, your energy levels may be lower the next day, meaning you have less motivation to be physically active, Prof Sattar notes.

How to combat the risk: Try to develop habits that are supportive of good sleep, Prof Sattar recommends. “For example, don’t look at your phone for at least half an hour before bed and don’t check emails late at night,” he says. Avoid eating dinner too late or snacking before bed, though if you do snack, opt for a small handful of nuts over chocolate or crisps, he adds.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/five-surprising-things-that-raise-your-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/ar-AA1qkS8Z?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=f805312feac84fc2bfdaf583f7d384f6&ei=12

Is Managing Your Diabetes Stressing You Out? 5 Ways to Recognise Diabetes Distress

From sbm.org

Living with diabetes is anything but simple. Managing blood sugar levels, ensuring you have enough medication, remembering to take medication daily, dealing with needle sticks, buying, and preparing heart-healthy meals, maintaining recommended amount of exercise and sleep—taking care of your diabetes can become overwhelming. This emotional response to the demands of living with diabetes is known as diabetes distress.

What is diabetes distress and what is it not?

Diabetes distress arises from the constant pressure to “be good” about managing diabetes. Diabetes distress can also be in response to broader social and cultural response to living as a person with diabetes, such as dealing with the “food police.” While negative feelings are expected, this can make it hard to stay motivated in taking care for yourself, creating a vicious cycle where emotional burnout leads to neglect of self-care.

Diabetes distress can sometimes be mistaken for depression, but they are distinct. It is an expected reaction to the burden of managing diabetes, whereas depression is a mental health condition that impacts how a person thinks, feels, or behaves, often interfering with daily life.

Diabetes distress is more common than depression, affecting 1 in 4 people with type 1 diabetes requiring insulin, 1 in 5 people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin, and 1 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. However, people with diabetes are 2-3x more likely to have depression. Whether you, or a loved one, have one or the other, or both, there are steps you can take to improve your emotional well-being.

What are five ways to recognize diabetes distress within yourself?

There are currently two questionnaires you can fill out to see if you may be experiencing diabetes stress. There are separate ones available for type 1 diabetes and those with type 2 diabetes (both are available here: https://diabetesdistress.org/take-dd-survey/).

Common Signs of Diabetes Distress:

Some common signs of diabetes distress include:

1. Poor A1C control or fluctuating blood glucose levels
2. Missing clinic appointments
3. Decreased participating in diabetes self-care tasks (e.g., checking blood sugar less often or skipping medication)
4. Unhealthy coping mechanisms for managing stress (e.g., emotional eating)
5. Experiencing multiple life stressors or ongoing non-diabetes-related stress (e.g., financial difficulties, unemployment, or homelessness)
6. Strained relationships with healthcare providers, partners, family, or friends
7. Acting passive or aggressive during medical visits

What can you do to combat diabetes distress?

• Talk to your healthcare team: express your concerns and frustrations to your doctor, diabetes educator, or nurse. A modification to your treatment plan may be needed and can offer emotional support.
• Connect with others who understand you. Join a diabetes support group to share experiences and receive advice from others that are facing similar challenges.
• Consider seeking professional support: talk to a mental health professional who has experience in treating people with chronic conditions.
• Prioritize self-care: focus on activities that help you relax and feel good, such as exercise, meditation, mindfulness, or hobbies you enjoy.
• Set realistic goals: break down larger diabetes management tasks into smaller, more achievable steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
• Educate yourself about diabetes: Learning more about the management of diabetes can empower individuals to manage it with more confidence.
• Challenge negative thoughts: replacing self-critical or negative thinking with positive affirmations to improve your mindset.
• Get Loved ones involved: Ask your family and friends for support and let them know how they can best help you manage your diabetes.

https://www.sbm.org/healthy-living/is-managing-your-diabetes-stressing-you-out-5-ways-to-recognize-diabetes-distress 

One Type of Chocolate Could Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 21%

From sciencealert.com

Most of us will have a preference for chocolate in terms of the taste and texture. According to a new study, those who choose dark over milk might find a hidden benefit in a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Researchers from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Massachusetts led a study on the health and eating habits of 111,654 nurses, who in a series of surveys conducted in the 1970s and 1980s logged which types of chocolate they ate.

The biggest takeaway, based on an average 25-year follow-up: eating five or more servings of dark chocolate a week was linked to a 21 percent drop in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared with rarely or never eating chocolate.

That's after excluding individuals with exceedingly high or low calories intake, and accounting for several key lifestyle and dietary factors in the records of those who remained. What's more, dark chocolate seemed to help them keep weight off too.

                                                                                                             (korhan_oztunc/Canva)

Curiously, no such relationship was found between milk chocolate and type 2 diabetes, which was instead linked with an increase in body mass.

"Increased consumption of dark, but not milk, chocolate was associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes," write the researchers in their published paper.

"Increased consumption of milk, but not dark, chocolate was associated with long term weight gain."

Now before you swap out one type of chocolate for another in your cupboards, it's worth emphasizing that the data here doesn't show direct cause and effect. Some risk factors were controlled for, but many more may be having an impact. 

Despite the limitations of the study though, the association between dark chocolate and reduced type 2 diabetes risk is strong enough to warrant further investigation, including the potential mechanisms at work.

Dark chocolate is high in flavanols – compounds also found in fruit and vegetables – which are thought to have numerous health benefits. Flavanols have previously been linked with reducing type 2 diabetes risk, so could well be significant here.

"Milk and white chocolate intake might not lead to the same metabolic health benefits owing to their higher added sugar content – an established dietary risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases," write the researchers.

Records from 2019 show around 463 million people affected by diabetes in general, a number that is expected to reach 700 million over the next two decades. The condition means constant monitoring of diet and blood sugar levels is required, and it can lead to more serious medical complications.

Despite those daunting numbers, new discoveries are being made regularly about how type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced, from getting more sleep to improving our diets. Knowing dark chocolate could be a healthier option might help individuals tailor their diets to benefit their needs.

"Further randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings and further explore the mechanisms," write the researchers.

The research has been published in the BMJ.

https://www.sciencealert.com/one-type-of-chocolate-could-reduce-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-21